DIANE GOWENLOCK

Peacefully, with her children at her side, Mom passed away on June 6, 2025 at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg.

Diane was predeceased by her loving husband Jack in 2016; parents, Herbert and Thura Bjarnason; sister Jona Nedo; brothers-in-law, Bill Burns, Reg Nedo, and Gord Gowenlock; and sisters-in-law, Irma Bjarnason and Gerry Burns.

She is survived by daughter Krista (Neil); son Corey; brothers, Herbert Bjarnason (Judy) and Richard Bjarnason (Sheila); sister-in-law Gerry Gowenlock; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.

Mom was the baby of her family, born in Gimli, Manitoba. Young Diane spent much of her free time with friends skating, swimming, and attending any show she could at the Gimli theatre. She adored her pets, and would play dress up with her cats, feed pet crows bread dipped in milk and always spoke fondly of the family dog Fusi.

The call of the big city was strong, and she arrived in Winnipeg shortly after graduation, working for the City & taking trips out west to visit friends and family in BC.

Sharing rides to work blossomed into romance and marriage to our father Jack. By 1974, daughter Krista was born, and within months, we were living in a hotel room with the cat, dog & a litter of newborn puppies while our home in St Albert, Alberta was being constructed. In 1977, son Corey was born and our family was complete. The pull of family ties in Manitoba brought us back, and by the mid 80's Mom was working again, the only woman in her department at Bristol Aerospace, and in later years Label Supply. Mom would seemingly effortlessly, and always modestly, work all day (and very often unpaid overtime), packed lunchboxes, made suppers and keep a tidy house. She was forever driving us to skating lessons, hockey, soccer and volunteering for our teams. "Santa" would overfill our stockings on Christmas eve, and ring the bell with a familiar "ho ho ho!" early Christmas mornings. Delicious holiday meals were always made merrier when Mom would share some of her curious Gimli tales. In the summer, she spent countless hours tending to her beautiful gardens; in winter, jigsaws, crosswords and "suduko" puzzles were always near at hand. Family cat Pootsey would come running to her for snuggle time every time the Law & Order theme would play. Sassy, clever, and '100% Mom's cat' Felix kept the crook of her knees warm for nearly 20 years.

From the mid 90's until this very year, Mom & daughter would spend many hours on Saturdays going to garage sales and thrift stores. She was fond of saying ‘you never know’ when we would pull up to a sale in the rain that looked less than promising. Against all odds, Mom would often walk out with some hidden treasure. At sales and in life, she was determined and optimistic.

After Dad’s passing, usually at Corey’s urging, getaways were had. One especially memorable visit was to the snow-covered Grand Canyon which easily outshined the charms of Las Vegas in her eyes. Other mother-son traditions included sharing cooking duties for Sunday morning breakfasts or an evening meal before Kinsmen Bingo or Netflix binges.

Even with her own health struggles she would cat sit and run errands for others in need.

Mom was such an indelible and constant part of our lives. It is difficult to comprehend the loss of her steady, comforting and cheerful presence.

We would like to thank Dr. Harris, the home care nurses & 3 East at Riverview Health Centre for providing such compassionate care for our mother on life's journey.

Cremation has taken place. A private celebration of her life will be held at her home on August 10.

Diane’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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